Now, you can experience Hampi by night

Guided night tours to start with Hampi Utsav next week

This year’s Hampi Utsav, from November 3-5, is bringing a whole raft of new and cool events and coolest of them all has to be that you can now explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site by moonlight. Visitors can walk through the newly illuminated ancient capital of the Vijayanagara Empire on a five-hour guided tour. It will feature audio so you can hear about the awesome history and the myths about this unique site. The initiative is the brainchild of the Department of Tourism and the Hampi World Heritage Management Authority, who hope to tempt day-tourists to spend the night and contribute more substantially to the local economy.

Hampi festival’s usual attractions, the bazaars, arts and culture and sporting events will also stretch into the evening. And if visitors get to Hampi a few days early, they can even experience the festivities from high above. From October 30-November 1, you can enjoy short paraplane joyrides in the mornings and in the evenings. From October 31 to November 7, you can also sign up for a chopper tour of the town (Rs2,300 per person).